Acetaldehyde health effects

The presence of hydrocarbons, therefore, can accelerate the oxidation of nitric oxide to NO2, which in turn reacts in the light to produce more ozone. Atmospheric oxygen is the source of oxidation capacity for both this reaction and the transformation of propene to more oxidized compounds. While the ultimate fate of much of the hydrocarbon is oxidation to carbon dioxide, it is equally important to note that this complex web of reactions involves many volatile intermediates, such as formaldehyde (HCHO), acetaldehyde (CH3CHO), and PAN (peroxyacetyl nitrate, not shown in Fig. 4.40), all of which can cause human health effects and/or damage to materials. The oxidation process also leads to the production of secondary aerosols, which are responsible for the decreased visibility caused by smog. 

Health and Safety Factors (Toxicology). Manufacture of cyanamide and calcium cyanamide does not present any serious health hazard. Ingestion of alcohoHc beverages by workmen within several hours of leaving work sometimes results in a vasomotor reaction known as cyanamide flush. Cyanamide interferes with the oxidation of alcohol and accumulation of acetaldehyde probably accounts for this temporary phenomenon. Although extremely unpleasant, it has not been known to result in serious illness or to have any permanent effect. 

Anton RF, Pettinati H, Zweben A, et al A multi-site dose ranging study of nalmefene in the treatment of alcohol dependence. J Clin Psychopharmacol 24 421 28, 2004 Aragon CM, Stotland LM, Amit Z Studies on ethanol-brain catalase interaction evidence for central ethanol oxidation. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 15 165-169, 1991 Arizzi MN, Correa M, Betz AJ, et al Behavioral effects of intraventricular injections of low doses of ethanol, acetaldehyde, and acetate in rats studies with low and high rate operant schedules. Behav Brain Res 147 203—210, 2003 Azrin NH, Sisson RW, Meyers R, et al Alcoholism treatment by disulfiram and community reinforcement therapy. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 13 105—112, 1982 Babor TF, Kranzler HR, Lauerman RL Social drinking as a health and psychosocial risk factor Anstie s limit revisited, in Recent Developments in Alcoholism, Vol 5. Edited by Galanter M. New York, Plenum, 1987, pp 373 02... 

In the late 1950s the subtle and serious consequences of methyl mercury exposure became evident in Minamata, Japan. Initially, early signs of uncoordinated movement and numbness around the lips and extremities, followed by constriction in visual fields in fishermen and their families, baffled health experts. Developmental effects were clearly evident in infants who exhibited subtle to severe disabilities. This spectrum of adverse effects was finally related to methyl mercury exposure from consumption of contaminated fish. Minamata Bay was contaminated with mercury and methyl mercury from a factory manufacturing the chemical acetaldehyde. Mercury was used in the manufacturing process, which also resulted in both mercury and methyl mercury being discharged into Minamata Bay. The fish in the bay accu-... 

Among the other notations is that acetaldehyde is to be avoided, it being a respiration inhibitor. It is related to ethyl alcohol or ethanol and also to acetic acid, but not necessarily to citric acid as involved in the carboxylic acid or citric acid cycle. Alkaloids are expectedly respiration inhibitors, and anesthetics can have respiration inhibition as a side effect. Aromatic adds such as phenol are bad news, as are arsenate, cyanide, isothiocyanate, and thiocyanate. The heavy metals cadmium, cobalt, copper, ruthenium, vanadate, and zinc are regarded as health risks, if not for respiration, for other reasons. 

Quertemont E, Didone V. Role of acetaldehyde in mediating the pharmacological and behavioural effects of alcohol. Alcohol Res Health. 2006 29 258-265. 

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